Zou's personality was completely opposite to that of Yan Zhiqiang's wife, Xu Xiangxiang.
One is a cowardly pushover.
One is shrewish and scheming.
Ms. Zou felt that she had not given birth to a son despite being married into the Yan family for many years.
He can't even stand up straight.
So she was bullied by Xu Xiangxiang every day and practically had to do all the housework. The couple were definitely a pair of sworn enemies.
Standing by the bed, Zou looked timid and submissive.
Yan Zhigao was furious just looking at it.
"You can eat if you want, but I'm going to take over this house. If you don't agree, we'll get a divorce, and you can go back to your parents' house and live like a coward!"
"Honey, why are you still angry? If you don't want to eat, then don't. The three of us can just sit here in the room." Worried that Yan Zhigao might really divorce her, Zou could only close the door and get into bed to keep him company.
"Crackling and popping—"
"Bang bang bang—"
Firecrackers went off one after another in Baihua Village.
Yan Xia's family was no exception.
Same as last year.
First, two loud explosions were set off, followed closely by firecrackers that exploded outside the Yan family's gate.
"Time for New Year's Eve dinner!" Yan Xia called out.
The group entered the main room one after another. There were two tables set up inside, just enough to seat everyone.
"Chang Yu is really capable. Eighteen dishes in total, all prepared so well. Once your restaurant opens, business will definitely be booming." Wang Jingshui's belly was already showing as she looked at the New Year's Eve dinner on the table and praised it.
"Of course, on opening day, there will probably be a long queue, just like at a restaurant." Yan Xia's words were not an exaggeration at all.
Let's not even talk about how the dish tastes.
Just the fact that Mrs. Lu and Miss Lu will grace us with their presence for a meal on opening day is enough to guarantee a good business.
In this small county town, the county magistrate was like a local emperor.
There are plenty of people who want to curry favor.
Unfortunately, she beat him to it.
Yan Xia was secretly delighted.
"Grandfather, Mother, please try this 'May You Have Abundance Every Year' dish."
Chang Yu placed a piece of carp on each of Yan Hecheng's and Yan Xia's plates.
Unlike crucian carp and grass carp, carp has a strong earthy taste. If not handled properly, the whole fish will be ruined.
It's completely inedible.
Following the recipe, she first soaked the carp in a basin, changing the water three times. Then she scraped off the scales, removed the internal organs, marinated it in salt for an hour, rinsed it in warm water, and took it out within three seconds.
Fry until golden brown on both sides.
After removing the fish from the pot, pour hot oil into the pot, add various spicy ingredients and stir-fry until fragrant, then add a glass of strong liquor to remove the odor. Then add the carp and half a basin of water, and boil over high heat until the liquid is reduced.
Once the broth has reduced to less than the fish, it's ready to serve.
"Great, it's very well done. You can't taste the muddy flavor of the carp at all, and the seasoning is just right. Compared to sweet and sour carp, it has much less fishy smell. It's delicious!"
Yan Xia nodded repeatedly.
Her daughter's cooking skills were no worse than those of the head chef in her household.
As expected of a system product, once you've figured out the recipe, every dish you make will be delicious.
"It really is delicious. It seems you've inherited your mother's cooking skills, Changyu. Not bad, not bad."
Yan Hecheng also praised it.
The only two elders both started eating.
Only then were the younger generation and servants allowed to begin eating.
The meal lasted from afternoon until dark.
It was only just beginning to end.
After dinner, it's time to give out lucky money.
Yan Hecheng first distributed the red envelopes to the younger members of the family, and when it was the last person's turn, the red envelope was placed in Yan Xia's hand.
Yan Xia looked up at her cheap father, puzzled.
"My dear daughter, take your New Year's money and use it to buy candy. Remember, put it under your pillow tonight." Yan Hecheng smiled at her.
There wasn't much money in the red envelope, just a small piece of silver, just for good luck.
You can travel here.
This was the first time Yan Xia had received New Year's money.
At that moment, she seemed somewhat dazed.
It was as if the original owner's body had transformed into his modern self.
So she can receive New Year's money too.
Even though the money came from her own pocket, Yan Xia was still very happy. "Thank you, Dad—" she said sweetly.
After a period of excitement, it was Yan Xia's turn.
She also took out her New Year's money and started distributing it.
Yan Xia was more generous than Yan Hecheng, putting two taels of silver in every red envelope, even the maids and servants received some, treating everyone equally.
After giving money to her family, Yan Xia went to the foot of the mountain and gave New Year's money to the security guards at the mountain gate.
On New Year's Eve, you can't visit other people's homes.
Back home.
They were playing cards.
Listen to the story.
They stayed up until late at night before finally falling asleep.
Following her father's instructions, Yan Xia placed the red envelope under her pillow before drifting off to sleep.
The night passed, and the next morning, familiar people from the village came to Yan Xia's house to offer New Year's greetings.
It was even more lively than New Year's Eve.
Yan Xia and her family stayed in the village until the fourth day of the Lunar New Year before returning to Shuangqiao Town.
The fifth day of the Lunar New Year.
Yan's Pastry Shop and Restaurant have reopened.
Business is even better than usual.
After all, the New Year celebrations weren't over yet, and many families who had visited relatives and friends would come to the restaurant for a meal.
Chang Yu and Chang Yi were extremely busy.
The restaurant is scheduled to open on the eighth day of the second lunar month, and we must ensure that everything goes smoothly.
They trained the waiters and kitchen staff, and then ordered the necessary meat dishes from various places.
It's better to have more than less; it's better to have too much than too little.
Construction on the school, which was suspended during the Lunar New Year holiday, has resumed, and workers are working hard to finish it by the end of February.
"Brother Dafeng, how's it going since you moved out?"
In the school, Dongzi, who was doing carpentry with Jiang Dafeng, asked him a question.
"The accommodation is very good, much better than home. It's just that my wife's illness is so bad. It comes and goes. I bought her a lot of meat to help her recover, but she keeps fainting at home. We've seen so many doctors, but none of them can cure her. Sigh."
Jiang Dafeng sighed.
His wife's illness seems to have worsened again.
Previously, I only experienced anxiety, night sweats, dizziness, and weakness.
Now, I often suddenly feel dizzy and faint.
He was terrified that his wife would pass away too soon.
When they were working, their complexion was always terrible.
Otherwise, Dongzi wouldn't have asked him.
"I need to save up some money. I'll have to save up some money for my trip to the capital. Who knows, I might not be able to afford to raise a child if I get married someday." Dongzi got married before the New Year.
His wife was three years younger than him. Although she was of average appearance, she was honest, hardworking, and efficient. She was clearly a good woman who knew how to manage a household.
As an elder, Huang the carpenter took a liking to the woman after only one meeting. Dongzi naturally obeyed and married the woman he had chosen, since his master would never harm him.
The two got married very quickly.
They settled into a quiet life.
I couldn't be happier.
Dongzi earns money outside, while his wife manages the household perfectly.
“You’ve married a good wife, treat her well. If she has a baby in the future, you must find a good midwife to help her deliver the baby. Don’t be like me, who was poor and caused your sister-in-law to have health problems after giving birth. I would rather give up my lifespan to help her.”
Jiang Dafeng sighed again.
"Brother Dafeng, don't overthink it. Just focus on making money. Once we get to the capital, he'll definitely be cured."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
